Bulldog favourite is back

Date: December 20 2012

Matt Murnane

THE Western Bulldogs have added another big name to their specialist coaching staff, welcoming back former captain and games record-holder Brad Johnson.

The Dogs are building a high-profile group of part-time mentors and skills coaches to support senior coach Brendan McCartney, with Johnson to join former Geelong premiership champions Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney working one day a week at the club.

Bulldogs veteran Robert Murphy said the players ''got a real buzz'' from seeing Mooney and Scarlett around the club, as well as the energetic Johnson, who had his first day at Whitten Oval on Wednesday.

''Leadership and culture are the buzz words in footy, but some individuals have just got that presence,'' Murphy said. ''And we are trying to find that among the playing group. So if you get guys like Mooney and Scarlett to come into your footy club, they can help you identify that and nurture it.''

Murphy said Johnson, a three-time best and fairest, had returned to the club with little fanfare.

''I love it when ex-players come back to their clubs, but having someone who is held in as high regard as Brad is, everyone gets a kick out of that.''

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